Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial for conserving marine biodiversity, and assessing the effectiveness of boundaries in protecting marine species is essential. In the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, four MPAs have been created. In this study we evaluate the use of these MPAs by Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) that nest at Isla de los Estados, Argentina during the pre-molt period in February and March 2020 by combining geolocation sensor data and spatial analysis together with stable isotopes analysis (δ13C and δ15N) to assess their spatial and trophic niches. We recaptured 16 of 25 adults to which loggers had been attached (64 % recapture rate, 6 females and 10 males). Penguins dispersed mainly southward and used the MPAs as corridors towards feeding area such as the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone (APFZ). We found no evidence of sex-specific spatial and trophic niche partitioning. To develop robust conservation strategies, future studies should span multiple years and enhanced sampling effort to comprehensively explore the pre-molt trophic ecology and at-sea distribution of Southern Rockhopper Penguins.

中文翻译：

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南方跳岩企鹅 （Eudyptes chrysocome） 在南美洲最南端海洋区域的蜕皮前扩散和海洋保护区的利用


海洋保护区 （MPA） 对于保护海洋生物多样性至关重要，评估边界在保护海洋物种方面的有效性至关重要。在西南大西洋，已经建立了四个 MPA。在这项研究中，我们评估了在 2020 年 2 月和 3 月在阿根廷 Isla de los Estados 筑巢的南方跳岩企鹅 （Eudyptes chrysocome） 在蜕皮前期间使用这些 MPA 的情况，方法是将地理位置传感器数据和空间分析与稳定同位素分析（δ13C 和 δ15N）相结合，以评估它们的空间和营养生态位。我们重新捕获了 25 只附有伐木器的成年鱼中的 16 只（再捕获率为 64%，6 只雌性和 10 只雄性）。企鹅主要向南扩散，并将 MPA 用作通往南极极锋区 （APFZ） 等觅食区的走廊。我们没有发现性别特异性空间和营养生态位划分的证据。为了制定稳健的保护策略，未来的研究应跨越多年并加强采样工作，以全面探索南方跳岩企鹅的蜕皮前营养生态和海上分布。